by Kaya Johnson

Created on: July 21, 2010   Last Updated: July 22, 2010

To me feminism means independence and equality, which is everything we have not only been denied for years, but told that is has nothing to do with the role of a woman. You need to get married, men equal stability, keep your man happy, I'm the man of the house, you need a man to survive are some of the many messages I have encountered in the short time I have been on this earth, so I can only imagine how deeply rooted it is in the minds of the woman who have come before me.

I think woman fear feminism for many different reasons. 

1). "The stay at home mother" is a role that woman have played for years and a role men would love them to continue to play. The problem with that is it makes you dependent on your husband/boyfriend.  Feminism proudly shouts out independence but independence would seem extremely scary if you have been dependent for the majority of your life. It is very unfortunate but women get trapped and controlled when their significant other is the only one bringing in income. There is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mother if it's what you want but if you're not seen as equal by your husband or you don't have a choice but to stay home, you become dependent.

2) It has been hammered into our brains that we are not equal to men. I know some women who are truly are okay with that, and love the idea of a man having the power, and I know others who don't but believe it's true because it's what they've been told their whole lives. Feminism embodies equality and some women fear that because it's all they know and others fear it because they believe that men and woman are not equal.

3) I know some women fear feminism because it will scare men away.  It is true that some men are intimidated by an successful woman and women really fear it will scare them away. Men also love women to be dependent on them. Some men need to feel needed, they do not like to be on the same playing field. It is sad but we are taught you cannot have both.

4) Another reason woman fear feminism is they have the WRONG opinion of being a feminist. A lot of people think being a feminist means you hate men, you cannot be a stay at home mother, you don't like the idea of family, feminists are masculine, feminist are pro choice, feminists are not religious.

I am a proud feminist who loves men. I am a feminist because I believe we are all equal and I refuse to be shoved into the box of "the role of a woman" because I am capable of so much more and have so much more to offer than what society thinks I can and should do. I am also a feminist because I have seen so many women trapped and unhappy because they followed in the path they were told.

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